ACL Surgery Post Op Day 6 - First Post Op Appt

Today was my first post op with my surgeon, Dr. Bradley Butkovich, and goodbye itchy splint. Hello big, bulky, locked straight brace. Interesting I've found articles both for and against locked braces after ACL surgery. The benefits are supposed to be less effusion and greater knee extension. Here's an article for anyone interested: http://www.sportsmed.org/uploadedFiles/Content/Medical_Professionals/Professional_Educational_Resources/Publications_and_Resources/Sports_Medicine_Update/SMU_-_Current_Issue/TPNovDec2011_ACLBracingUpdate.pdf

So I have to wear it almost 24 x 7. BUT I can take it off to shower. Quite a process that I hope to try tonight. Step in shower. Remove brace. Remove bandage. Shower. Pat area dry. Replace Bandage. Replace Brace. Out of Shower.

Also, I can take off for PT and as advised, by the PT folks, for exercises.  And it is open so it breathes as opposed to the splint.

Now I do not need to be elevated and icing all day. He recommended 3-4 times and as needed (ie after PT, exercises.) So I will do some chair sitting.

In other good news, no need to elevate at night anymore. Thank the Lord!!!

He did say I had to use my crutches. Blah. Not to bear wear weight but in case of slippage.

I also saw pics of the inside of my knee before and after ACL surgery. Interesting.  And I learned I have small hamstrings so he could only take 3 as opposed to 4 strands, but that still got him the required 8 mm. In the surgery, if that didn't work, he did have the graft from a dead person if required--he would have checked with Keith first--interesting.

Tomorrow is my first PT! I know it'll hurt but will be nice to move forward.

So that's the latest and greatest.

My new brace. 

My sutures. As a note, the entire knee and leg doesn't look too bad.